For immediate release: April 10, 2023 (23-045)
Contact: DOH Communications
Public inquiries: Health Systems Customer Service 360-236-4700
OLYMPIA -- The Washington State Department of Health has taken disciplinary actions or withdrawn charges against the following health care providers in our state.
The department’s Health Systems Quality Assurance Division works with boards, commissions, and advisory committees to set licensing standards for more than 80 health care professions (e.g., dentists, nurses, counselors). Information about disciplinary action taken against medical doctors and physician assistants can be found on the Washington Medical Commission (WMC) website. Questions about WMC disciplinary actions can be sent to media@wmc.wa.gov.
Information about health care providers is on the agency website. Click on “Health Care Provider Lookup” under the “Find it Fast” section of the Department of Health website (doh.wa.gov).The site includes information about a health care provider’s license status, the expiration and renewal date of their credential, disciplinary actions and copies of legal documents issued after July 1998. This information is also available by calling 360-236-4700. Consumers who think a health care provider acted unprofessionally are encouraged to call and report their complaint.
Benton County
In March 2023 the Massage Therapy Program charged massage therapist Kristin Ann Kayfes (MA60689986) with unprofessional conduct. In March 2021, Kayfes was charged with assault during an interaction with law enforcement where she appeared intoxicated. In April 2021, Kayfes had allegedly appeared intoxicated to a coworker who reported her to their manager. In October 2021, Kayfes plead guilty to fourth-degree assault in Benton County Superior Court.
Clark County
In March 2023 the Dental Commission and the secretary of health ended the conditions on the dental assistant and certified nursing assistant licenses of Mindy R Garcia (D160995233, NC10091985).
In March 2023 the secretary of health reinstated the registered nursing assistant license of Lindsay May Walters (NA60281334).
In March 2023 the secretary of health ended the conditions on the medical assistant license of Cinthya Gorostieta Munoz (CM60701771).
In March 2023 the Nursing Commission charged registered nurse Joseph Karl Wiser (RN60635525) with unprofessional conduct. In February 2021, Wiser was convicted of driving under the influence. In March 2022, Wiser was convicted of third-degree malicious mischief.
Douglas County
In March 2023 the secretary of health ended conditions on the emergency medical technician credential of Leilani Rae DiPaula (ES60505703).
Island County
In March 2023 the Unlicensed Practice Program notified Lillian Lyric Davis of its intent to issue a cease-and-desist order. From March 2022 to May 2022, Davis was employed as a medical assistant and performed duties such as conducting diagnostic testing, sterilizing equipment, and capillary puncture and venipuncture. Davis does not and never has held a credential to practice as a medical assistant in Washington state.
King County
In March 2023 the secretary of health ended probation on the agency affiliated counselor license of Alison Margaret Bangasser (CG61052936).
In March 2023 the secretary of health reinstated the agency affiliated counselor license of Paul Weaver Campiche (CG60841991).
In March 2023 the Nursing Assistant and the Medical Assistant Programs charged certified nursing assistant and medical assistant-phlebotomist Dimtu Godana Jatani (NC60565978, PC60817020) with unprofessional conduct. In February 2020, Jatani was convicted of reckless driving, and in November 2020, was charged with driving under the influence.
In March 2023 the secretary of health ended conditions on the substance use disorder professional license of Fidelia Vasquez (CO61142346).
Pierce County
In March 2023 the secretary of health denied the advanced social worker associate license application of Louis Andrew Diamond (SA61229654). The Department of Social and Health Services’ Adult Protective Services determined in December 2022 that Diamond had sexually and mentally abused a vulnerable adult from June 2021 to June 2022.
In March 2023 the Pharmacy Commission ended conditions on the pharmacy assistant license of Makira M Koroma (VB61059036).
In March 2023 the secretary of health ended conditions on the nursing assistant license of DinhHongChau Tran (NC61201052).
Snohomish County
In March 2023 the secretary of health ended the conditions on the substance use professional disorder trainee license of Angela Marie Bond (CO61097178).
Yakima County
In March 2023 the secretary of health denied the medical assistant-phlebotomist application of Rachel Marie Lee Nelsen (PC61243813). Between 2015 and 2020, Nelsen had been convicted eight times for gross misdemeanors including theft, assault, trespass, possession of a drug without prescription and driving under the influence. Nelsen did not respond to a request for a substance use evaluation.
In March 2023 the secretary of health ended the conditions on the chemical dependency professional trainee license of Jessica Bueno (CO60904317).
In March 2023 the Office of Emergency Medical Services and Trauma System Programs charged paramedic Patrick H Nicholson Jr. (ES00108808) with unprofessional conduct. Charges state that in January 2021, a law enforcement investigation uncovered numerous videos of several female individuals, adults and minors, that were taken by Nicholson without their consent. In July 2022, Nicholson was charged with two counts of first-degree voyeurism, a class C felony sex offense.
Out of State
California: In March 2023 the Dental Commission reinstated with conditions the dental license of Erin Nicole Erickson (DE60417754). Erickson agreed to the conditions of reinstatement, which require that Erickson complete a substance use monitoring contract, allow the Commission to review her practice and records unannounced up to two times a year for five years, and is prohibited from writing prescriptions for narcotics.
In March 2023 the Nursing Commission charged registered nurse Nikhil Narasappa (RN61014021) with unprofessional conduct. In June 2022, Narasappa surrendered his temporary nursing permit in the state of Georgia.
Note to Editors: Health care providers charged with unprofessional conduct have 20 days to respond to the Department of Health in writing. The case then enters the settlement process. If no disciplinary agreement can be reached, the case will go to a hearing.
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